Peter Parker worries about the multitude of issues
going wrong in his life, from Aunt May’s health and his relationship with Gwen
to his typical money problems. Peter checks on Aunt May, when Anna Watson and
Mary Jane stop by to check on her as well. MJ tells Peter to call Gwen, and
they remind him of the farewell party they’re throwing for Flash soon.
Realizing he has no money to chip in for the party, Peter heads out as
Spider-Man to see if he can make some quick cash. However, after hours of
swinging around, Spidey finds no crime that he can photograph himself stopping.
Eventually, he swings past a building for a network TV station and has the idea
to appear as a guest star on a talk show. He swings in and proposes the idea to
the studio heads. While some are distrustful, he proves he’s the real
Spider-Man by lifting one of the studio execs with one hand and they talk about
getting a contract made up.
While he’s there, one of the high voltage cables
starts shorting out. One of the electricians, named Max Dillon, throws the
circuit breaker and the rest of the workers are amazed to see he wasn’t
electrocuted. Spidey feels like he’s heard the name before but is too
distracted with everything else to think much on it. However, though Spidey may
not remember, Max Dillon is really Electro, laying low here until he’s ready to
go into action again. Electro heads home and runs into his parole officer
outside his apartment, who tells him to keep out of trouble. Electro turns on
the TV and catches an editorial by J. Jonah Jameson decrying Spider-Man’s
advertised talk show appearance. Electro then has the idea that Jameson may be
willing to pay him to unmask Spidey on the show, allowing him to get his
revenge in the process, in a legal way if he has the Bugle’s backing.
Meanwhile, Peter picks up Gwen, still down on money as
the TV studio wouldn’t pay him in advance, and they head to the Coffee Bean to
meet the others. Peter and Flash quickly get into one of their typical
squabbles and Peter realizes he’s so on edge that he needs to just leave to
cool off. Elsewhere, at the Daily Bugle, Electro approaches Jameson with his
proposition. Jameson agrees to pay Electro $5,000 to unmask Spidey and Jameson
revels in the idea that Spider-Man may soon be dealt with! Meanwhile, Gwen catches
up with Peter and demands to know what’s wrong. Peter admits to everything
that’s been worrying him lately, including feeling like he’s not good enough
for Gwen, never having enough money to really treat her how he feels she
deserves. She says that none of that matters to her, and that all she wants is
to be with him. Though he feels now would be the perfect time, Peter still
can’t bring himself to tell her that he’s Spider-Man but decides that he needs
to succeed for her.
Two days later, Jameson invites Robbie and Captain
Stacy to attend the talk show with him, while Robbie notices that Jameson seems
too happy about it, guessing something might be up. As for Peter, he realizes
that his costume is too dirty to appear on TV in. Not wanting to be seen
washing his Spider-Man costume as Peter, he heads to the laundromat while
wearing a paper bag on his head! When the time finally comes for the talk show,
Spidey appears in his own stylish way. Before he can even get through two questions,
Electro attacks, sending the entire crowd running! Robbie and Captain Stacy
realize that Jameson orchestrated this and point out that he clearly didn’t
think about the potential danger to innocent people. Spidey dances around
Electro’s attacks, while finding it difficult to get close. Eventually he’s
able to trip Electro and pounce on him, employing some hit and run tactics.
While Electro is still reeling, Spidey webs his arms and pulls, causing Electro
to short circuit himself when they touch his feet! The resulting feedback
knocks them both for a loop and after several moments, both stumble off, too
weak to keep fighting. Spidey wearily makes his way home, injured and dejected,
feeling like this was a hollow victory at best.